Official DVLA Record

2002 TVR Chimaera 5.0L Petrol · V8 CTH

V8 CTH

2002 TVR Chimaera (5.0L, petrol). First registered 01/06/2002. Recorded mileage 47,060 miles. MOT status: Expired.

Make & Model
TVR CHIMAERA
Year / Origin
2002 · Worcester
MOT Status
Valid until 09/07/2026
Road Tax
Recorded Mileage
47,060 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 5.0L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 09/07/2026
Tax Status
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Checking DVLA database...
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2002
Engine
4997cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The 2002 TVR Chimaera presents a stable and clean roadworthiness profile, with the most recent test on 8 July 2025 at 47,060 miles returning a pass and no defects recorded. The maintenance trend across the last four successive annual tests shows no advisories or failures, indicating the vehicle has been presented in compliant condition each time. This consistency suggests the current keeper has kept the car to a standard that satisfies DVSA inspection requirements. Recorded mileage stands at 47,060 against a 24-year-old vehicle, equating to an average of roughly 1,961 miles per year. The MOT data shows gentle accumulation: 44,975 miles on 23 June 2022, 44,982 on 24 June 2022, 45,871 in June 2023, 46,525 in July 2024, and 47,060 in July 2025. The only anomaly is the 23 June 2022 failure at 44,975 miles with no defects listed, immediately followed by a pass the next day at 44,982 miles, a pattern typical of an administrative or retest procedural issue rather than a mechanical fault. Otherwise the record is sparse and unblemished, with no gaps exceeding thirteen months. A buyer should still commission an independent inspection of structural integrity and corrosion points, as TVR chassis and outriggers are prone to rust despite clean MOT sheets. The low annual mileage implies long standing periods, which can degrade suspension bushes, brake calipers, and tyres through age rather than wear. We would physically check brake disc condition, flexible hoses, and exhaust mounts for perishing. Given the absence of recorded advisories across five years, previous owners appear to have addressed consumables before test rather than allowing minor defects to accumulate. The single non-mechanical failure in June 2022 does not reflect on the car's condition. Overall the documentary history supports a low-use, well-presented example, but age-related components must be verified in person.

V8 CTH Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 08/07/2025
  • 47,060 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • No defects recorded at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data
MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
55
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

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Full History Report

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Finance
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Write-off
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Salvage
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Imported
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Exported
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Scrapped
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Destruction
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V8 CTH Mileage History

  1. 23/06/202244,975 mi
  2. 24/06/202244,982 mi+7 mi
  3. 13/06/202345,871 mi+889 mi
  4. 10/07/202446,525 mi+654 mi
  5. 08/07/202547,060 mi+535 mi

Average of roughly 686 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

V8 CTH MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 21 May 2026, 02:00
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 Tvr Chimaera (V8 CTH) between June 2022 and July 2025.

The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 08 July 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
72/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£2,500-£3,500
Mileage
At 47,060 miles for a June 2002 registra...

Our Verdict

This 2002 TVR Chimaera is a usable, low-mileage example with a largely clean MOT record, but buyers should approach with caution due to the brand's specialist nature and a single MOT failure in 2022. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a TVR specialist is strongly advised before committing.

Given the TVR Chimaera's hand-built construction and limited dealer support, always request a full service history and confirm that routine chassis, suspension, and engine work has been carried out by a recognised TVR specialist. The 2022 MOT shows a failure with no defects recorded on the same day as a pass the following day, so ask the seller for the reason behind that failure to rule out any overlooked advisory. Negotiate on the basis that parts and labour for this 4997cc V8 are not mainstream, and budget for specialist servicing regardless of the clean recent MOTs.

As a 4997cc petrol V8, this Chimaera will return modest fuel economy, likely in the low 20s mpg, and falls into a high Vehicle Excise Duty band for large-engine vehicles. Insurance groups for TVR sports cars are typically elevated due to performance and rarity, and specialist maintenance will cost more than a standard hatchback. Estimated annual running costs including fuel, tax, insurance, and typical upkeep are likely in the region of £2,500-£3,500 given the engine size and marque.

The MOT history shows a failure on 2022-06-23 at 44,975 miles with no defects recorded, followed by a pass on 2022-06-24 at 44,982 miles; clarify this with the seller and inspect the car for any outstanding issues that may have been quickly rectified. With no defects recorded across the 2023-2025 passes, physical inspection should still focus on TVR-specific weak points such as chassis corrosion, suspension bush condition, and the fibreglass bodywork on this green example. Check the 5.0-litre V8 for oil leaks, cooling system condition, and evidence of regular cambelt or chain servicing, as these are critical on high-capacity performance engines.

The vehicle shows 47,060 miles on its most recent 2025 MOT, which is low for a 24-year-old sports car and suggests gentle use. MOT history from 2023 to 2025 records passes with no defects, and the 2022 failure was logged with no defects recorded, indicating a possible administrative or minor non-mechanical issue. As a 5.0-litre V8 petrol British sports car in green, it offers a distinctive ownership proposition but carries inherent running and maintenance complexity.

No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the TVR Chimaera, so buyers cannot benchmark this example against fleet trends and must rely on individual history.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns

Vehicle & Plate History

Previous plates for this vehicle